That was the telephone message... I had met Mary and her devoted husband John while filling a 4-hour "hole" working PRN at my local hospital. She was a woman about my age, in her mid 40's, suffering from advanced ovarian cancer. She was the type of patient to whom you couldn't help but get attached--she had a quality about her spirt that was just amazing. Got to know her better over the next few months, stopping by her house for visits, to try and encourage her. However, it was Mary who inspired me. She had such a LOVE for lving--I mean, she wanted to LIVE so badly. She was always so positive and giving, never complaining, always thinking about others. I would go to encourage her and would leave so built up by her attitude and presence. Mary finally lost her battle after fighting so hard. It made me think. Think about this wondrous gift from God that we all share, called LIFE... Too often we take it for granted. Get upset over the little, trivial, insignificant things. In Mary's honor, I am determining from this point onward to live each day to the fullest, to worry less, to stress less, to be THANKFUL for each and every moment I am here; to be thankful for my good health. To celebrate EACH and EVERY day that I am alive. Mary, you were a most remarkable patient and I will miss you, my dear friend!
